CMS QIP Wildfire Exceptions

CMS is granting exceptions under Medicare quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs to renal dialysis facilities located in areas affected by the Oregon Wildfires and designated as emergency disaster areas by FEMA, including Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.

Impacted facilities in other areas may request exceptions for CMS review on a case-by-case basis.

Request exceptions using the Extraordinary Circumstances Exception (ECE) form at https://qualitynet.cms.gov/files/5d0d36e1764be766b0100cad?filename=HQR_ECE_Req_FormFeb2019.pdf. The ECE form must be signed by the dialysis facility CEO or designee and be submitted via email to the ESRD QIP Mailbox at esrdqip@cms.hhs.gov. This form and corresponding evidence must be submitted within 90 days of the Extraordinary Circumstances event for the ESRD QIP. For further assistance contact the CMS ESRD QIP at esrdqip@cms.hhs.gov.

7/1 CMS: COVID-19 QIP Exceptions Expire

In a July 16, 2020 email, CMS  “would like to inform the ESRD QIP community that the COVID-19 exceptions granted under the March 27, 2020 CMS Memo have ended.  Therefore, Quality Reporting Requirements for Renal Dialysis Facilities should resume effective July 1, 2020.”  They’ve updated the Exceptions Fact Sheet accordingly, and answered new questions addressing the Composite Kt/V measure, hypercalcemia, and isolation facilities.  Find it at https://qualitynet.org/files/5f0da6ccb8112700239dca2c?filename=ESRD_QIP_COVID19_FAQs_071420.pdf.  Direct questions to the QualityNet Q&A form at https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/qnet_qa?id=ask_a_question.  The original March 27 Memo can be found at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/guidance-memo-exceptions-and-extensions-quality-reporting-and-value-based-purchasing-programs.pdf.

CMS FAQ Sheet on COVID-19 Extraordinary Exceptions

CMS has released a FAQ Sheet on Extraordinary Circumstances Exceptions Policy as a resource to answer questions related to the COVID-19 Exceptions and Extensions that were outlined in the March 27, 2020 COVID-19 Quality Reporting Programs Guidance Memo.  Find a summary of the Guidance and a link to the FAQ sheet at https://www.qualitynet.org/esrd/esrdqip/participation#tab4.